By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Cade Cunningham and Franz Wagner stepped up in the final of the Clorox Rising Stars at All-Star 2022, leading Team Barry to a 25-20 victory over Team Isiah.
Cunningham was clutch in the final minutes, draining a three-pointer and then finding Wagner on a back-door cut. The German forward then earned a foul and hit his first free-throw of the game to lead Team Barry to a 13-2 run that lifted the squad to the victory.
Cunnigham’s contribution earned him the Rising Stars MVP honor, totaling for 18 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in both Team Barry displays.
Wagner combined 6 points in both games, while big man Alperen Sengun posted 4 points, 3 rebounds in the semifinal against Team Payton, and had 3 points in the final.
This was the first year of a new Rising Stars format, with four teams of seven players consisting of 12 rookies, 12 sophomores, and four players from the NBA G League Ignite team competing in a three-game tournament. The semifinals were each played to 50 points, while the final was played to 25.
Rising Stars challenge final scores:
Semifinals:
Team Worthy – Team Isiah 49-50
Team Payton – Team Barry 48-50
Final:
Team Barry – Team Isiah 25-20
Photo credit: Getty Images